Latest news with #SCDNR
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Algae identified that gave a local shrimper trouble
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Rocky Magwood, a fourth-generation shrimper on Shem Creek, faced a new challenge on the opening day of shrimp season: a mysterious sea grass. Biologists have since identified it. Shrimp trawling season began June 2 in the Lowcountry, and Magwood told News 2 that he could only drag his shrimp nets for ten minutes before they were clogged with this sea grass, leaving him to catch only 15 shrimp that day. Biologists with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) got samples of the grass and identified it as a type of red algae, likely belonging to the genus Polysiphonia. Typically, this kind of algae is seen further north and offshore on rocky seafloors, according to biologists at SCDNR. They also suspect that recent storms may have dislodged large quantities of the algae and pushed it into South Carolina coastal waters. According to the biologists, this type of algae is not harmful, but is more of a nuisance, as local shrimpers expressed. The good news: this kind of algae is not here to stay. Ocean currents should disperse it. This type of red algae has not completely vanished from Lowcountry waters. 'We are experiencing it in certain places, but it has lightened up a lot. You can work around Charleston now, it's in the channel now, and in front of the inlets, it's not as thick as it was,' said Magwood. According to Magwood, this is a win because shrimpers are now able to return to the waters that they normally work in. Magwood expressed, 'We are back in our areas around home now.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Carolina shellfish harvesting season closing
BEAFOURT, S.C. (WSAV) — South Carolina's 2024-2025 shellfish harvesting season will come to a close on Wednesday. The season is closed when summer weather kicks in due to bacteria, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials. Vibrio parahaemolyticus are bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters, but higher levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and fever if consumed. Raw or undercook oysters are often a way to contract Vibrio, the CDC reports. Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption, officials said. Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen Oct. 1, 2025. Even though recreational harvesting is closed, South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) works on community-based oyster restoration building oyster habitats using recycled shell. The public is invited to join SCNDR staff to help create the habitats. SCORE accepts recycled oyster shells year-round. Collection sites can be found online or by calling SCDNR at (843) 953-9397. Other types of shell, such as clams and whelks, are also accepted. Check the SCORE webpage for a calendar of events or email the community restoration staff at score@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Search continues for missing boater on Waccamaw River
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The search continued Monday for a missing boater along the Waccamaw River. The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office and SC Department of Natural Resources have been looking for Kerry Van Arsdel, who left The Reserve Marina on May 19 and has not been seen since. Officials with the sheriff's office said marina employees located Arsdel's unmanned boat Thursday near Butler Island, miles away from the docks. His belongings were still inside. The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol ended its recovery efforts Monday ahead of expected bad weather. 'Deputies are concentrating on the area between The Reserve Marina and the bridge near Georgetown, judging tides, water temperature, and time as factors in the search. They will resume Tuesday morning,' officials explained. As the investigation progresses, deputies ask that anyone with information about Arsdel give them a call at 843-546-5102. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
SCDNR to conduct boat safety checks over the holiday weekend
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will conduct courtesy boat inspections across the state over the holiday weekend. If you have your boat inspected, you will not be ticketed if your boat is non-compliant with current regulations. Instead, you will have an opportunity to correct any issues. This is part of an effort to keep people and waterways safe during the Memorial Day weekend, which SCDNR said is one of the busiest times of the year for state lakes and waterways. 'SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations,' said SCDNR. 'Officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.' Inspections will take place at the following locations in Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, and Berkeley counties: Saturday, May 24: Charleston County: Wapoo Cut Landing, Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Colleton County: Bennett's Point, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, May 25: Berkeley County: William Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Charleston County: Remley's Point, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, May 26: Charleston County: Limehouse Landing, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Georgetown County: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex Landing, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can report boating violations, such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, by calling SCDNR's toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or dialing #DNR on your mobile phone. The United States Coast Guard will also offer free vessel safety checks this weekend. Last year alone, officials said South Carolina reported 150 boating accidents, which resulted in 23 deaths. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
South Carolina DNR urges boating safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching and boaters getting ready to hit the waters, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to prioritize safety. SCDNR officials say they are expecting the waterways to be extremely busy this upcoming holiday weekend and want to make sure boaters have everything they need to stay safe. Officials say there are easy ways to protect those on the boats, and say one of the most important things is keeping life jackets on board at all times. Also make sure your fire extinguisher is working, you have your registration, whistles and horns, and a phone in case of emergencies. The agency says they'll perform quick, but thorough, inspections for required safety equipment and proper registration. Those who are not in compliance with regulations will not be ticketed, but instead, will have a chance to correct the problem before they launch their boat into any state waterways. 'We'll set up at a landing like we are here, and you'll just come down,' DNR conservation officer Jay Gregg said. 'We've got a checklist, and if you want us to come check your boat out, we'll be more than happy to do it. Like I said, we're excited about it. It's a good time, but we just want you to be safe. And this weekend is when everybody's pretty much coming out for the rest of the summer.' Boating inspections will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the following locations: Saturday: Anderson County: Twim Lakes Landing, Lake Hartwell Berkeley County: William Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal Charleston County: Wapoo Cut Landing, Intracoastal Waterway Fairfield County: Molly Creek Greenwood County: SC Highway 72 Landing at Break on the Lake Horry County: Little River Landing Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam Landing Sunday: Beaufort County: Broad River Landing Charleston County: Remley's Point Claredon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion Colleton County: Bennett's Point Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Landing, Lake Wateree McCormick County: Dorn Landing, Lake Thurmond Monday: Beaufort County: Lemon Island Boat Ramp Charleston County: Limehouse Landing Georgetown County: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex Landing Lexington County: Lake Murray Sam Pickens County: South Cove Landing, Lake Keowee York County: Allison Creek Park Landing, Lake Wylie * * * Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
